WITH
so vast a subject, it is indeed a difficult task to summarize in a few hundred
words what I consider the - most basic ideas on which those who seek a true
understanding of metaphysics should now concentrate. I shall do what I can in
the shape of three fundamentals. These fundamentals are: Self-Observation,
Definition of Aim, and Detachment.

The
purpose of true metaphysics is to bring about a rebirth or radical psychological
change in the individual. Such a change cannot take place until the individual
first discovers the self that he would change. This discovery can be made only
through an uncritical observation of his reactions to life. The sum total of
these reactions defines the individual's state of consciousness, and it is the
individual's state of consciousness that attracts the situations and
circumstances of his life.

So
the starting point of true metaphysics, on its practical side, is
self-observation in order to discover one's reactions to life, reactions that
form one's secret self - the cause of the phenomena of life.

With
Emerson, I accept the fact that “Man surrounds himself with the true image of
himself . . . what we are, that only can we see."

There
is a definite connection between what is outer and what is inner in man, and it
is ever our inner states that attract our outer life. Therefore, the individual
must always start with himself. It is one's self that must be changed.

Man,
in his blindness, is quite satisfied with himself, but heartily dislikes the
circumstances and situations of his life. He feels this way, not knowing that
the cause of his displeasure lies not in the condition nor the person with whom
he is displeased, but in the very self he likes so much. Not realizing that
"he surrounds himself with the true image of himself" and that
"what he is, that only can he see," he is shocked when he discovers
that it has always been his own deceitfulness that made him suspicious of
others.

Self-observation
would reveal this deceitful one in all of us; and this one must be accepted
before there can be any transformation of ourselves.

At
this moment, try to notice your inner state. To what thoughts are you
consenting? With what feelings are you identified? You must be ever careful
where you are within yourself.

Most
of its think that we are kind and loving, generous and tolerant, forgiving and
noble; but an uncritical observation of our reactions to life will reveal a self
that is not at all kind and loving, generous and tolerant, forgiving and noble.
And it is this self that we must first accept and then set about to change.

Rebirth
depends on inner work on one's self. No one can be reborn without changing this
self. Any time that an entirely new set of reactions enters into a person's
life, a change of consciousness has taken place, a spiritual rebirth has
occurred.

Having
discovered, through an uncritical observation of your reactions to life, a self
that must be changed, you must now formulate an aim. That is, you must define
the one you would like to be instead of the one you truly are in secret. With
this aim clearly defined, you must, throughout your conscious waking day, notice
your every reaction in regard to this aim.

The
reason for this is that everyone lives in a definite state of consciousness,
which state of consciousness we have already described as the sum total of his
reactions to life. Therefore, in defining an aim, you are defining a state of
consciousness, which, like all states of consciousness, must have its reactions
to life. For example: if a rumor or an idle remark could cause an anxious
reaction in one person and no reaction in another, this is positive proof that
the two people are living in two different states of consciousness.

If
you define your aim as a noble, generous, secure, kindly individual - knowing
that all things are states of consciousness - you can easily tell whether you
are faithful to your aim in life by watching your reactions to the daily events
of life. If you are faithful to your ideal, your reactions will conform to your
aim, for you will be identified with your aim and, therefore, will be thinking
from your aim. If your reactions are not in harmony with your ideal, it is a
sure sign that you are separated from your ideal and are only thinking of it.
Assume that you are the loving one you want to be, and notice your reactions
throughout the day in regard to that assumption; for your reactions will tell
you the state from which you are operating.

This
is where the third fundamental - Detachment - enters in. Having discovered that
everything is a state consciousness made visible and having defined that
particular state which we want to make visible, we now set about the task of
entering such a state, for we must move psychologically from where we are to
where we desire to be.

The
purpose of practicing detachment is to separate us from our present reactions to
life and attach us to our aim in life. This inner separation must be developed
by practice. At first we seem to have no power to separate ourselves from
undesirable inner states, simply because we have always taken every mood, every
reaction, as natural and have become identified with them. When we have no idea
that our reactions are only states of consciousness from which it is possible to
separate ourselves, we go round and round in the same circle of problems - not
seeing them as inner states but as outer situations. We practice detachment, or
inner separation, that we may escape from the circle of our habitual reactions
to life. That is why we must formulate an aim and constantly notice ourselves in
regard to that aim.

This
teaching begins with self-observation. Secondly it asks, "What do you
want?" And then it teaches detachment from all negative states and
attachment to your aim. This last state- attachment to your aim - is
accomplished by frequently assuming the feeling of your wish fulfilled.

We
must practice separating ourselves from our negative moods and thoughts in the
midst of all the troubles and disasters of daily life. No one can be different
from what he is now unless he begins to separate himself from his present
reactions and to identify himself with his aim. Detachment from negative states
and assumption of the wish fulfilled must be practiced in the midst of all the
blessings and cursing of life.

The
way of true metaphysics lies in the midst of all that is going on in life. We
must constantly practice self-observation, thinking from our aim, and detachment
from negative moods and thoughts if we would be doers of truth instead of mere
hearers.

Practice
these three fundamentals and you will rise to higher and higher levels of
consciousness. Remember, always, it is your state of consciousness that attracts
your life.